Pump shaft seal assembly



Dec. 12, 1944. w K 2,365,146

PUMP SHAFT SEAL ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 16, 1942 manufacture, eflicient in its operation,

' tion. his a further object to -of the above type which is connectible in torque uses of my invention Patented Dec. 12, 1944 p j tw n", y ruursnar'r mnssnunnx EdmnndFaWichorek, Clevelan 6, Oh autism to l'esco Products 00., a corporation of Ohio Application February is; 1942, 4:1,: r o (Cl. zsc 'n' This invention relates to flexible torque transmittingcouplings generally and particularly-to a coupling arrangement having special application to the problem-of aircraft engine.-

Considerable aimeuity has been encountered in' providing a suitable 7 coupling arrangement between, for example, the auxiliary power shaft of aircraft engines andthe rotor or gear of an auxiliary pump required to be driven from, the motor. This difflculty has been found to be due in part to the particular conditions under which the ecu-- pling must operate in such service and in part to the unsatisfactory arrangement for installing the coupling in torque the auxiliary power shaft. The latter aspect is rendered particularly significant y t e fact that the aircraft motor generally must be shipped to a' point of assembly separately from the auxiliary unit such as the pump which it is desired to later install iii-torque transmitting relation to the auxiliary motor shaft It is therefore an obiect of the present invention to provide an improved coupling arrangement of the above type which is practical of and which is capable of ready connection and disconnection with reference to the shaft withwhich the same is to be associated in torqu'transinitting relaprovide a couplin transmitting relation without requiring any fur ther mechanical operation than the mere attachment ofthe coupling housing to the housing sup-. porting the shaft to which connection is to be made. It is a more specific object to provide in a coupling of the present type a novel arrangement of elements functioning as above pointed out and incorporating the necessary features of flexibility as well a's-the necessary seal against the inadvertent flow of lubricant therepast.

Other more specific obiectsyadvantages and will become more apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanyin drawing which forms a part thereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a partially exploded view in axial cross section bringing out to advantage one preferred embodiment of my invention;

' Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged view in axial cross section of the principal portion-of the same structure shown in Fig.1 but with the exploded parts brought together in assembled relation; and

transmitting relationship with an auxiliary unit such a as a pump from an auxiliary power shaft of an transmitting relation a ear Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring in greater detail to the figures .of the drawing, 1 vhave disclosed my applied to. the problem of connecting in torque ty 1. P p d cated generally at fl and an auxiliary power shaft ll extending fromanaircraft motor housing indicated at l2. My improved coupling arrangement is indicated generally at i5 and is composed essentially of two readily connectible and disconnectible coupling sub-assemblies indicated generally at It and I1.

Coupling sub-assembly I6 is mounted shafts ll permanently, in the sense that this installation maybe made at the factory where the other suitable time aircraft motor is fabricated and where shaft Ii is normally installed in housing It. The installation of sub-assembly l6 may be made at any before or after the shipment of the aircraft motor, a for example at an inter vmediatepoint of shipment and assembly. Couis shown as comprising a pling sub-assembly i6 tubular sleeve member l8 formed with axially extending internal splines I! for cooperation with complementary splines!!! on shaft II for preventing relative rotation therebetween and provided externally with a radially outwardly ex tending flange 2| interrupted by a plurality of splines or finger receiving recesses 22 about periphery thereof separated by intervening arcuate lugs or protuberances 23, all for a. purpose to be pointed out. The sleeve l8 may be permanently confined on shaft H with the inner end thereof held against the shaft roller bearing 26, which installation, as pointed out, may be made at any suitable time independently of sub-assembly H.

The second cooperating coupling sub-assembly i1 is mounted for rotation within the bore 3| of a housing 32', which may be an integral part of the pump l0, the open end of bore 3| being ar ranged for reception in embracing relation about the end of shaft II and about bearing assembly 24, an adapter 33 being used where necessary to effect a flt. and the housing 32 being arranged for attachment to housing l-2 as by cap screws 34 passing through radially outwardly extending flange 36. Coupling sub-assembly I1 is shown as being composed of a tubular or cup-like member 4. closed as indicated at ll, terminating at the open end in a plurality of peripherally spaced axially extending coupling fingers 42 and formed invention as arranged to'be on and carried by auxiliary power.

the

' ing flange 45 adapted to receive exteriorly of the closed portion thereof with a shear neck 43 connecting with a transverse coupling lug 44. bular member Opposite the closed portion of tu- 40 is a radially outwardly extendone end of a coil compression spring 46 in engagement with the side thereof facing the open end of bore 3| and. formed on the opposite side thereof with an annular channel 41 adapted to partially receive a flexible seal ring 48. Coupling member In is further formed with a cylindrical shoulder 49 embraced by a separate bearing ring 5| engaged by flexible seal ring 48 for urging the ring 5| into intimate contact with the end of bearing sleeve 52, which in turn supports the gear extension 53 verse tongue 44.

For confining coil compression spring 4 6 against flange 45 a washer-like ring 60 embraces tubular coupling member 40 about fingers 42 intermediate the axial extremities thereof. Splines or recesses 6| are preferably formed in the inner periphery of ring 60 complementary in shape and disposition to fingers 42 serving thus to prevent relative turning between the ring and tubular member 40 as well as to improve theguided axial movement therebetween. 2

For the important purpose of limiting the axial movement of ring 60 in the direction oi. the open end of bore 3| during shipment of the pump assembly or otherwise desired to install the pump assembly l2, there is provided within bore inwardly extending stop or spacer on housing 3| a radially ring 63 havin of ring 60. This stop ring 53 is confined against 3| by means of a split expandible retainer ring 85.

From the above it will thus be made clear that by merely moving pump Ill into position for attachment to motor housing l2 the necessary coupling for transmission of torque will be effected without requiring any further mechanical operation, it being seen from Figs. 1 and 2 that fingers 42 pass into cooperation with recesses or finger receiving openings 22 while the intervening protuberances or arcuate lugs 23 engage the spring confining ring ill moving the same axially away from the spacer ring 63 and additionally compressing spring 46 the desired amount for eflecting in combination with sealing ring 48 the necessary flexibility and sealing relationship. It is desired to additionally point out the fact that be employed wherever a similar problem of coupling exists; Likewise, while the coupling housing 32 is shown as anintegral part of the pump housing the same may in certain installations be aseparate housing.

Other equivalent changes and applications may be made coming within the broader aspect of my prior to such time as it is said confining means invention, and it is intended that my invention be defined by the appended claims which should be given a scope as broad as consistent with the prior art.

I claim:

1. A flexible rotary coupling arrangement including a first housing having a shaft journalled therein and protruding therefrom, a first rotary coupling sub-assembly fixed on said shaft and normally retained thereon, a second housing formed with a bore therein containing a second rotary coupling sub-assembly therein, said second housing being provided with means for attaching the same to said first housing with said bore embracing said shaft and first named sub-assembly, said sub-assemblies each being formed with interfltting elements operable in response only to the movement of said second housing into mounting position on said first housing to bring said interfltting elements into torque transmitting relation, said second coupling subassembly comprising a rotary tubular member, a coil compression spring embracing said tubular member, a flange extending radially from said tubular member and engaged by one end portion of said compression coil spring, means within said bore for confining said spring against said flange under limited compression when said coupling sub-assemblies are in disassembled relation, said means being responsive'to the movement of said sub-assemblies into torque transmitting relation to move said coil compression spring away from and further compress the same in the direction of said flange a predetermined amount.

2. A flexible rotary coupling arrangement adapted for drivably connecting the rotary element of an auxiliary unit to a shaft protruding from and carried by a first housing also adapted to support said unit, said flexible coupling arrangement comprising a first coupling sub-assembly normally permanently fastened on said shaft ing to said first housing, means defining a second coupling sub-assembly rotatably carried within said bore, said coupling sub-assemblies each comprising complementarily formed interfitting elefrom said housing bore axial movement of one when said coupling subassemblies are out of cooperative relation, said interfitting elements carried on said shaft assembly being efiective upon being brought into cooperation with said interfltting elements on said transmitting relation 1y extending flange spaced axially from said flngers, a washer-like ring embracing said tubular member about said fingers intermediate the axial extremities thereof, a coil compression spring interposed between said flange and washer-like rin in embracing relation to said tubular member, stop means extending radially inwardly from the wall of said bore functioning to limit the axial movement of said washer-like ring in the direction of said open end of said bore, means interposed between said flange and saidhousing including a flexible seal ring, a second tubular member adapted to be normally permanently fastened on a shaft protruding from a second supporting housing, said second tubular member being formed with circumferentially disposed radially extending protuberances arranged to interfit with said fingers on said first tubular member, said protuberances being operable to engage said ring and move the same away from said limliting means compressing said spring a predetermined amount in response only to said protuberances being moved into torque transmitting relation with said fingers, and means for removably attaching said housings together with said tubular members in torque transmitting relation.

4. A flexible rotary coupling arrangement adapted for drivably connecting a, rotary assembly, including a housing and a rotary element to an auxiliary power shaft protruding from and carried by a motor housing, said last named housing being adapted to support said rotary assembly, said flexible coupling arrangement comprising a first coupling sub-assembly to be normally permanently fastened in fixed torque transmitting relation on said auxiliary power shaft, said coupling including said second housing formed with a bore therein open at the outer end for reception of said auxiliary shaft and first named sub-assembly, means for attaching said first named housing to said motor housing, means defining a second coupling sub-assembly rotatably carried in normal permanent relation with said rotary element within said bore, said first coupling sub-assembly comprising a first sleeve or tubular member including means for normally fastening the same on said shaft in torque transmitting relation thereto, said first named tubular member being formed with protuberances extending radially outwardly in spaced circumferential relation, said second coupling sub-assembly comprising a second tubular-like torque transmittin member rotatably confined within said bore and formed on the end portion thereof facing the open end of said bore with a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending fingers for complementary reception between said protuberances for effecting torque transmitting relation therebetween, said second named tubular member being further formed with a radially outwardly extending flange spaced axially from said fingers, a washer-like ring embracing said tubular member within said bore about said fingers intermediate the axial extremities thereof, a coil compression spring interposed between said flange and said washer-like ring in embracing relation to the outer periphery of said tubular member, stop means extending radially inwardly from the wall of said bore functioning to limit the axial movement of said washer-like ring in the direction of said outer end of said second housing bore, means interposed between said flange and said housing including a flexible seal ring, whereby the movement of said first named housing into mounting position on said motor housing is efiective to bring said protuberances forming a part of said first named tubular member into torque transmitting cooperation with said fingers forming part of said second named tubular member, said protuberances being further effective to engage said washer-like ring compressing said spring a predetermined amount to thus provide the desired flexibility and fluid seal.

5. In a flexible coupling and seal arrangement adapted to facilitate ready installation and removal, including means defining a main housing having a power shaft protruding therefrom, means defining a first coupling subassembly adapted to be mounted permanently about the terminal portion of said protruding power shaft and comprising means for fastening the same to said shaft against relative movement with reference thereto, said, first subassembly further including at least one radial protuberance, a second auxiliary housing having means for attaching the same to said main housing and formed internally with a coupling subassembly bore, said bore arranged to be embracingly received about said first coupling subassembly, a second coupling subassembly arranged to be permanently carried within said bore and comprising a rotary member having a complementary recess for receiving and drivingly cooperating with said radial protuberance extending from said first named coupling assembly, sealing means between said "rotary member and said auxiliary housing, and means including a coaxially disposed helical compression spring effective to retain said coupling subassembly within said auxiliary housing bore and hold said rotary member in engagement with said seal at such time as said auxiliary housing is disconnected from said main housing, the movement of said auxiliary housing into installing position bein effective to bring said first named subassembly into cooperation with said retaining means and spring to compress said spring axially for loading the same a predetermined amount.

6. In a flexible rotary coupling arrangement v including means defining a first housing having a rotary shaft journalled therein and protruding therefrom, a first coupling sub-assembly carried on said protruding portion of said shaft and comprising means for normally retaining the same in fixed relation to said shaft; means defining a second housing formed with a bore therein adapted to be,received in embracing relation about said protruding portion of said shaft, means for fastening, said second housing to said first housr ing, a second coupling sub-assembly received within said bore of said second housing for rotation therein, means for retaining said coupling sub-assembly within said bore, each of said su-bassemblies being further provided with complementary interfitting elements effective to connect the same in torque transmitting relation in response to the movement of shid second housin into position for fastening the same to said first housing, said second coupling assembly further comprising an axially disposed coil compression spring effective to apply axial separating pressure between said sub-assemblies to control end play therebetween and means responsive to said movement of said second housing into fastening position with respect to said first housing effective to apply a predetermined loading to said coil compression spring.

EDMUND F. WICHOREK. 

